A recent survey at Dordt University reveals that nearly 90% of students regularly attend church, with strong involvement in Bible studies and faith-forming activities, emphasizing the importance of spiritual formation both at home and during their time at Dordt.
A recent survey conducted at Dordt University provides valuable insights into the spiritual lives of Dordt students. The data shows that nearly 90% of Dordt students regularly attend church, with a significant portion also engaging in Bible studies and other faith-forming activities during their time at Dordt.
According to the survey:
This data on the topic of spiritual formation was gathered as part of Dordt’s Assessment Day. The comprehensive data was collected from freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, in partnership with Institutional Research.
"One reason more than 93% of Dordt alumni report attending church weekly is because they developed that spiritual habit at home and then had it strongly reinforced while they were at Dordt."
Rev. Aaron Baart, chief of staff and dean of chapel at Dordt University, says that Dordt’s Campus Ministries does “really good work at a critical point in the lives of young adult believers, but the Church will be students’ lifelong home. All the formation efforts that we engage in at Dordt must have a view toward this reality. So, one of the big reasons more than 93% of Dordt alumni report attending church weekly is because they developed that spiritual habit at home and then had it strongly reinforced while they were at Dordt for college.”
Baart also highlights the significance of students’ involvement in Bible studies at Dordt. “This is a stage of life where young adults begin to make their faith their own,” he says. “In a Bible study, they move from merely listening to others to starting to articulate their own voice and faith. These habits are crucial for cultivating a lifetime of faith.”
It is important for Dordt to assess the faith formation of students, adds Baart. “This is a ‘put our money where our mouth is’ opportunity,” he says. “When families invest in a Dordt education, they are not just signing up for the transmission of information but for all-of-life spiritual transformation. It is important for us to regularly ask whether or not what we are doing is working. And I am deeply encouraged by the data derived from this survey. I already look forward to using this information to further strengthen a deeply formational experience at Dordt and make it even better.”
Dordt University remains committed to fostering an environment where students can thrive spiritually, preparing them not only for their professional careers but also for a life rooted in faith.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
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